The Once—and Future?—USS Samuel B. Roberts

With yesterday's decommissioning of the USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58), the end of the Perry-class frigate draws one step nearer. The fleet won't be long without a class of ships it calls frigates; in January, Navy Secretary Ray Mabus declared that future littoral combat ships will henceforth be known as "fast frigates." 

But the Navy would also do well to ensure that it is not long without a warship named Roberts. Here's a case for a fourth "Sammy B":

After 29 years in service, USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58) is being decommissioned today in Mayport. #FFG58decom 1/25 pic.twitter.com/CI2SPJFFRh

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Roberts is a Perry-class frigate, one of the last remaining of the Navy’s 51. http://t.co/Di8vScS1zj #FFG58decom 2/25 pic.twitter.com/eWHgzyBnP4

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

FFG 58 is also one of the most remarkable ships in the Navy, both for the name it bears and the things it accomplished. #FFG58decom 3/25

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Samuel B. Roberts was a Navy coxswain who died saving Marines at Guadalcanal. http://t.co/KJ6uv4AV80 #FFG58decom 4/25 pic.twitter.com/NfCBqe9RNl

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

1st ship named for Roberts was sunk in Navy's "most valiant" action of WWII http://t.co/IofkiVNRpl #FFG58decom 5/25 pic.twitter.com/Ky4cqZg2du

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

2nd Roberts ship took part in the Cuban missile blockade and the Vietnam War. http://t.co/m57aO7lHT9 #FFG58decom 6/25 pic.twitter.com/mBrZoHoHOI

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

FFG 58, the 3rd Roberts, was launched in 1984 by Maine's Bath Iron Works. http://t.co/EyI4A4zJfL #FFG58decom 7/25 pic.twitter.com/6oNWreWC0o

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

A guided missile frigate, FFG 58 was commissioned in 1986. http://t.co/xwEguJYVLH #FFG58decom 8/25 pic.twitter.com/3mcUdyOh6H

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Sister ship Stark hit by missiles in 1987; FFG 58 took it as a deadly lesson. http://t.co/NikuzyidKz #FFG58decom 9/25 pic.twitter.com/2dGT4jb1ta

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Later in 1987, U.S. ships began escorting tankers in a wartorn Persian Gulf. http://t.co/rcDivBLtKG #FFG58decom 10/25 pic.twitter.com/5cSBZzpUxy

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Roberts completed its training with honors and deployed to the Gulf in 1988. http://t.co/B0iezpRck0 #FFG58decom 11/25 pic.twitter.com/3DVqlFTZlf

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

On April 14, 1988, an Iranian mine blew a hole in the Roberts’ hull. http://t.co/CGWqIlKr3R #FFG58decom 12/25 pic.twitter.com/weLUVfzvYv

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Well-trained and well-led, the crew fought fire and flood into the night. http://t.co/CGWqIlKr3R #FFG58decom 13/25 pic.twitter.com/mJYQpxRv0T

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Ten Roberts sailors were medevaced off for burns and other injuries. http://t.co/7bCDfy4O3d #FFG58decom 14/25 pic.twitter.com/ivnjOOwCv1

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

By dawn, the crew of the Roberts had saved their ship. http://t.co/CGWqIlKr3R #FFG58decom 15/25 pic.twitter.com/o9Tp8gM4lQ

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

President Ronald Reagan called the ship to say “well done." Here's a recording of his call: http://t.co/2f52Y7yJ3C #FFG58decom 16/25

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Meanwhile, the Roberts was towed to Dubai and put up on blocks. http://t.co/CGWqIlKr3R #FFG58decom 17/25 pic.twitter.com/UX0vfGDdDO

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

In revenge, the U.S. sank 2 Iranian ships in its biggest battle since WWII. http://t.co/PAfm8QY2f0 #FFG58decom 18/25 pic.twitter.com/ZblU70Jbx7

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Roberts was eventually hauled back to the U.S. and towed to Bath for repair. http://t.co/HaNWtAyteH #FFG58decom 19/25 pic.twitter.com/9EDjWgeG4D

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Bath Iron Works built the ship a new engineroom and jacked it up into place. http://t.co/teHHZqwjm7 #FFG58decom 20/25 pic.twitter.com/cfhbzgLrlT

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Roberts returned to the fleet and eventually deployed all over the world. http://t.co/02vgC64vf4 #FFG58decom 21/25 pic.twitter.com/DL9RBuGGcx

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Today, Navy schools use the Roberts as a case study in leadership, preparation, and courage under fire. #FFG58decom 22/25

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

In 2006, I wrote a book about the Roberts. (Available at Amazon. :) ) http://t.co/tZY5pnxi9g #FFG58decom 23/25 pic.twitter.com/UNFsoht60h

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

But you should read Adm. William Crowe, JCS chair, on what the Roberts means to the Navy: http://t.co/RsfQuJNzNb #FFG58decom 24/25

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015

Farewell, USS Samuel B. Roberts, and thanks to the men and women who served aboard her. #FFG58decom 25/25 pic.twitter.com/nk0ztQ8Vpa

— Bradley Peniston (@navybook) May 22, 2015